Aims of the Service

• To provide a best practice, professional telephone and online, crisis and trauma counselling service 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
• To assist people who have been or who are affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.

1800RESPECT Background

While living free from violence is everyone’s right, reducing violence is everyone’s responsibility. Reducing all violence in our community is a priority. All forms of violence are unacceptable, in any community and in any culture.

Domestic or family violence and sexual assault are the more pervasive forms of violence experienced by women; they can also happen to men. These forms of violence cause significant personal, social and economic costs for all in our community.

The 1800RESPECT National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service commenced on 1 October 2010 in the form of a phone counselling service. In June 2011, the website www.1800RESPECT.org.au was launched which enabled consumers to access online counselling; information and resources about sexual assault and family or domestic violence (SA/FDV).

The Commonwealth Government funds 1800RESPECT through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, www.fahcsia.gov.au. Medibank Health Solutions Telehealth Pty Ltd are contracted to provide the 1800RESPECT service and Medibank Health Solutions subcontracts the NSW Rape Crisis Centre to provide the counselling service.

The 1800RESPECT online and telephone counselling service is part of the Australian Government's commitment to reduce violence under the National Plan.

The National Plan

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 (the National Plan) was released in February 2011 and brings together the efforts of governments across the nation to make a real and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women. The National Plan targets two main types of violence: domestic and family violence and sexual assault.

By working together and challenging the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to occur, all Australian governments are saying a very loud ’NO’ to violence.

About Medibank Health Solutions

Medibank Health Solutions delivers a range of innovative health care solutions for corporate Australia and government. More information about Medibank Health Solutions can be found on their website at http://www.medibankhealth.com.au

About The NSW Rape Crisis Centre

The NSW Rape Crisis Centre is a non-government, not-for-profit service which has been assisting those who have experienced sexual assault in NSW for the past 40 years. The Centre has been contracted by Medibank Health Solutions, the lead agency for 1800RESPECT, to provide the clinical component of the service. More information about NSW Rape Crisis Centre can be found on their website at http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au